ROCHESTER — Greetings, and thank you, thank you, thank you to the community, vets, the Spaulding High Air Force Jr. ROTC, SAL Squadron 7’s Mr. Oliver for playing Taps, and his wife for playing Echo Taps, the Rochester Fire Department bagpiper, and all the local vets organizations that took part in the Veterans’ Day wreath-laying ceremony at our Veterans’ Monument. The ceremony took place the 11th month, 11th day, and at the 11th hour, at the Rochester Commons. Commander Bob Baker, of AMVETS Post 1 and I, from the RVC, laid a wreath at the Veterans’ Monument. It made me proud to be an American when I saw the number of community members who showed up to demonstrate their support and gratitude for those who have served and sacrificed over the years. RVC Chaplain Robert Crout-Hamel paid tribute to the American men and women in uniform by reading a proclamation from President Barack Obama.

I want to apologize for not having a PA system for those who couldn’t hear it that well, but I was told by Commander Bob Talbot he is buying a wireless PA system, and it will be available for loan to the Legion Family organizations and the RVC for any events we have in the future. The Legion put over 20 chairs in front of the monument, and only five people used them.

After the service at the Commons, we went to the World War I monument at the City Hall and held a service there. I would like to thank Al Benton for being Officer of the Day for both services. He did a wonderful job!

From noon until 3 p.m., Post 7 had a free dinner for all vets. There was also a free dinner at VFW Post 1772 starting at 1:30 p.m. At 2 p.m. the American Legion Riders Chapter 2 NH held a meat raffle at Post 7 Canteen.

At 7 p.m. on Nov. 11, the RVC held a service at the First United Methodist Church. The community gathered to pay respect to those who fought, sacrificed, and died to ensure the freedom our country so enjoys in their day-to-day lives. Col. Mark Leahey, one of our guest speakers, spoke of those who were the “99 percent” who should honor and thank the “1 percent” who serve in the Armed Forces. Another speaker, Post Senior Vice Commander Bob Allard Jr., a veteran of Kosovo, the Gulf War, and several other conflicts, and retired as a Navy Chief, stated, “I wish that we could do more than just this, so many sacrificed everything they had, even their lives.” I would like to thank the First United Methodist Church Choir, and Ms. Houston and the Spaulding High Choir for their participation.

I felt proud to carry the veterans’ wreath with all the branches of the service on it. It was placed on the altar and all the organizations passed by, the Knights of Columbus with swords held high as they placed their colors up front. I would also like to thank the 394th Marine Detachment for firing the volley when the Officer of the Day, Al Healy, gave them the command. I forgot to mention we had four crosses on the altar, each branch with their service hat on them. After a prayer was read by each service vet, the hat was turned facing up toward them.

Lastly, the Legion Family will be having a dinner on Thanksgiving Day at Post 7 from 1 to 4 p.m. The dinner is free for vets and a $5 donation for spouses.